Saturday, September 8, 2012

HEAD’S UP: Continuing the approach we adopted commencing with the Fall 2012 edition of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York, VEVLYN'S PEN will put emphasis on the truly inspirational on the runway, rather than a sort of “best of the lot, even if it’s not that good.” Why the change? Simply put, we have grown weary of watching far too many collections that lack imagination because too much attention has been paid to the bottomline. If nothing inspires, we will tell you so and tell you why. We still endeavor, however, to provide a roundup of the best, worst and most interesting Yours Truly (and others) witnesses, from trends to sightings to the rather unusual/bizarre.

PRESSED to identify a trend from the second day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, one could make a strong case for a bright spring.

A really bright spring. Quite brilliant, actually. It was very much in evidence at W118 by Walter Baker, Helmut Lang, Sally LaPointe, Concept Korea, Noon by Noor and particularly at Sherri Hill, where the colors were sometimes blinding.

The day also played host to some really strong collections. One did not get the feeling that the designers called them in. Old lionesses (meant with the utmost respect) like Nicole Miller are always reliable in this regard. Spring-Summer 2013 is no exception.

On the runway at the site of the project: Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Jennifer Hudson and Nina Garcia. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.

Usually the cutting edge and innovative are palpable in group shows. That helped the day, too. Good examples are Concept Korea and Fashion Law Institute.

It’s a great pleasure to report that because it was a good day there is a best overall show. The numbers are still being tallied. The frontrunner of the moment, however, is Omar Salam a bookish-looking young gent who knows his way around lace and layers and tulle and tucks. The emerging artist presented his collection as part of Harlem’s Fashion Row to an audience, including Natalie Cole and Vanessa L. Williams, that may have clapped its palm raw. It was that kind of collection.

In other developments, there is good news of a certain, former New York housewife. She is a very nice gal who deserves every good thing that comes, including therapy … More shortly, meanwhile enjoy the picture show.